Push button switch



May 1941- D. J. OBRIEN v 2,243,646

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed NOV. 1, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l M'IH [H ll'- In ventor 39 DA Wu J. OER/EN,

A itorneys May 27, 1941. D. J. O'BRIEN PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed 'Nov. 1, 1938 2 sheets-sheet 2 mm n .5 0 J m D M A ttorneys Patented May 27, 1941 FICE 4 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in push button switches. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch especially adapted for a doorbell, which will be operated to close a circuit, first in ringing a doorbell or other annunciator, and secondly to illuminate a message to the caller.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a push button switch of the character stated, which will be positive acting and not susceptible to the ready development of defects.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a push button switch assembly which can be readily taken apart for the purpose of repair or replacement of parts.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 represents a front elevational view.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the plunger with a portion in section.

' Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections between electrical devices involved.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the structure includes a hemispherical shaped shell 5 having an opening 6 in the upper portion thereof under which is disposed the translucent pane '1 having a suitable message thereon such as the word please. Suitable clips or the like 3 are employed to hold the pane in place.

At the central portion of the shell an opening is formed and. extending outwardly from the edge portion of this opening is the flange 9 serving as a guide for the cylindrical knob Ill. This knob H] has the bore I, the back Wall of which has the recess 52 therein for receiving the adjacent end of the plunger I 3 which plunger is secured in place by a pin M or the like and has the sleeve l3a of insulation adjacent the inner end thereof.

Numeral I5 represents a bracket having an opening i5 through one end thereof to permit sliding action of the adjacent end of the plunger l3. This bracket l5 has the foot portion I? which is secured by a screw I8 to the legs as of insulation, which is suitably secured in place in the shell 5.

Also secured by the fiange 26 to the plate of insulation is is the conductor plate 21 which has the upstanding contact finger 22 against which the tip portion 23 of the plunger l3 is ridable. A socket structure 2a. is secured by the lug 25 to the plate lit and is. adapted to support the lamp- 26. A contact finger ill isinterposed between the lug 25 and plate iii and terminates in the path of the plunger l3.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the shell 5 is provided with a shoulder portion 28 apertured to. receive suitable securing means 29.

As shown in Figure 7, in the circuit Si! is the source of current 55, the buzzer or ball 32 and the other parts of. the. structure afore described.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the contact finger 21 with the lamp 25 and the contact finger 22 are connected in parallel with one side of the bell 32,v the other side. of the bell 32? being connected to one side of the battery 3!, while the other side of the battery 3! is connected to the bracket l5. Normally the spring for the plunger l3 maintains the sleeve I So of insulation disposed within the opening l '6 so that both the bell and the lamp circuits are deenergized'.

When the button It is pushed inwardly, the plunger l3 will ride against the bracket l5 while the tip 23 thereof engages and rides against the contact finger 22, thus closing the circuit involving the bell 32. (See Figure 7.) There was only a momentary contact of the tip 23 with the finger 22 as the button I ll is forced inwardly, as the sleeve 53a will ride against the finger22, cutting off the bell 32 until the tip 23 engages the finger 2?. This results in the completion of the circuit involving both the bell 32 and lamp 26. The lamp illuminating the interior of the case 5 and shining light through the window 1 on which a suitable message such as Please is displayed. The caller upon observing the message and releasing the button IE3 finds that the lamp becomes extinguished due to the act of the spring on the plunger E3. The spring returns the plunger, causing the tip 23 to leave the contact finger 27 and as the tip 23 again rides across the finger 22 there is a short energization of the bell 32. Obviously, when the plunger I3 is pushed to its entire extent inward the tip 23 is engaging the contact finger 2?, thus energizing the lamp 26, While the contact finger 22 is engaging the plunger Is beyond the outer end of the sleeve Isa.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A switch structure comprising a slidable plunger of current conductive material, a sleeve of insulation on the plunger at a point slightly inward of one end thereof to define a contact tip at said end of the plunger, a guide of. current conductive material through which and with which the plunger engages, a contact finger, a second contact finger, said contact finger being constructed and arranged to permit the secondmentioned contact finger to wipe the plunger when the plunger has been moved to engage said first-mentioned contact.

2. A switch structure comprising a slidable plunger of current conductive material, a sleeve of insulation on the plunger at a point slightly invention, what is inward of one end thereof to define a contact tip I at said end of the plunger, a guide of current conductive material through which and with which the plunger engages, a contact finger, a second contact finger, said contact fingers being constructed and arranged to permit the second-mentioned contact finger to wipe the plunger when the plunger has been moved to engage said firstmentioned contact, a case for the contacts and guide, said case having an opening therein, a collar circumscribing the opening, a button operative in the collar and to which the plunger is attached.

3. A switch structure comprising a slidable plunger of current conductive material, a sleeve of insulation on the plunger at a point slightly inward of one end thereof to define a contact tip at said end of the plunger, a guide of current conductive material through which and with which the plunger engages, a contact finger, a second contact finger, said contact fingers being constructed and arranged to permit the secondmentioned contact finger to Wipe the plunger when the plunger has been moved to engage said first-mentioned contact, a case for the contacts and guide, said case having an opening therein, a collar circumscribing the opening, a button operative in the collar and to which the plunger is attached, and a compression spring on the plunger interposed between the button and the guide.

4. A; switch structure comprising a slida-ble plunger of current conductive material, a sleeve of insulation on the plunger at a point slightly inward of one end thereof to define a contact tip at said end of the plunger, a guide of current conductive material through which and with which the plunger engages, a contact finger, a second contact finger, said contact fingers being constructed and arranged to permit the secondmentioned contact finger to wipe the plunger when the plunger has been moved to engage said first-mentioned contact, a case for the contacts and guide, said case having an opening therein, a collar circumscribing the opening, a button operative in the collar and to which the plunger is attached, a case for the guide, plunger and contact fingers, a lamp mounted in the case, a window in the case having indicia thereon, a source of current, one side of the source of current being connected to the guide, an alarm, the other side of the battery being connected to one side of the alarm, the other side of the alarm being connected in series with the lamp and first-mentioned contact finger, and a connection between the last-mentioned side of the alarm and the second-mentioned finger.

DAVID J. OBRIEN. 

